“The foot comes in the middle. Do atemi here. Your feet form a “T” with your partner’s feet. Then extend your arm…”

As many of you know, yesterday we launched our very first ebook. It’s a rare technical manual entitled “Takemusu Aiki — Koshinage,” by Morihiro Saito Sensei.

I was really amazed and heartened by your enthusiastic response! Readers from over 20 countries around the world have purchased their digital ebooks in the first 24 hours, and had this wonderful manual saved on their computer hard drives within 5 minutes! How times have changed since I started doing this business 38 years ago.

The subject of koshinage–aikido’s hip-throws–made me recall the fact that Saito Sensei covers these techniques in some detail on a couple of the DVDs in our catalog, Lost Seminars, Volume 6 and Volume 7 to be precise. I decided to look through the subtitle files and found this little section where Saito Sensei describes and demonstrates koshinage basics.

I believe those of you who have just ordered the ebook will find Saito Sensei’s comments below fascinating to read since you will get an idea of how it was to train “live” with Morihiro Saito Sensei at one of his seminars:

Now we’ll turn to koshinage. First we’ll start from katatedori.
Starting from katatedori which is the easiest to do.

The main points of all koshinage are the same as this one.

I would like to have you start learning with this simple koshinage.

The foot comes in the middle. Do atemi here.

Your feet form a “T” with your partner’s feet. Then extend your arm. Point in that direction.

Then bring the small of your back to your partner’s stomach. Then look downward.

You must load him correctly since you won’t be able to throw him if he’s heavy.

1… 2…

If I talk for a long time, please sit comfortably.

There was a prestigious girls high school. The students were all smart.

There were some koshinage techniques on their tests. They were helping each other by jumping on their high falls.

I told them that was not right.

“You have to stop and completely load your partner on your back,” I said.

But they couldn’t do that. They all would jump when taking their falls.

I told them to load their partners on their backs but they couldn’t do it. They were all unstable.

So in order to learn correct koshinage, first don’t throw but practice loading your partner on your back.

If you can lightly load your partner you are doing well. If your partner feels heavy you need more practice.

Even if the load is heavy, some people will just go ahead and take the fall. So it’s better to stop there.

Here you look down, and if your partner feels light, there is no problem.

Let me explain from a katatedori grip. This is the variation where you put your head through.

This is the variation where you don’t put your head through.

This variation is done in the manner of shihonage.

All of these variations are different. Please learn the distinctions among them…

I’m very excited about what all of this means in terms of the direction of our research and publications from here forward. You have spoken loud and clear about what you materials you want and in what form you want them. We are listening… and we will deliver. It’s full steam ahead, 24/7!

Morihiro Saito Sensei, 9th dan, was one of aikido’s premier instructors. A close student of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba in Iwama, Saito Sensei learned his craft from O-Sensei, in many cases, on a one-to-one basis. A mastery of technical detail was the hallmark of his pedagogical method, and Saito Sensei had a reputation of producing strong, technically skilled students quickly.

Much has been written about his strong impact on the practice of aikido today. During his active years, Saito Sensei taught tens of thousands of students both in Japan and abroad. He also published a number of bilingual training manuals on aikido that sealed his reputation as one of aikido’s top authorities.

Saito Sensei passed away in 2002 at the age of 74. Those who never had a chance to study under Saito Sensei directly missed a rare opportunity. Fortunately, valuable film and video of this great teacher has survived. His wonderful legacy remains intact and easily accessible through the DVD seminars offered through Aikido Journal.

This week, we are offering the entire set of 7-DVDs of Saito Sensei’s authoritative “Lost Seminars” DVDs at a greatly reduced price. You will receive over 14 hours of expert instruction with complete English subtitles. Catch every word he is saying, and with a new, deeper understanding, be able to apply these lessons to your aikido!

Get Morihiro Saito’s “Lost Seminars” 7-DVD Set today. Bring your art to a new level!

Kenji Ushiro’s Sanchin Kata develops your breathing, helps you to take in Ki into your body and mind, and creates a “unified-body.” This video shows detailed footage of “Kata”– the secret to Bujutsu Karate that generates this energy, Ki, which is far more effective than muscle strength or sport-type timing.

This video consists of two parts: 1) the basic part including the demonstration of Sanchin Kata with detailed explanation about the Kata by Kenji Ushiro and the demonstration of Sanchin’s basic applications; and 2) the application part including free sparring applied from Sanchin Kata.

Ushiro Sensei’s mastery of ki, as expressed through his karate, is at a level rarely seen in the world of martial arts. He is a highly sought-after instructor in Japan and author of several books on martial arts. His second book, Karate and Ki, has recently been released in an English version.

“Get a glimpse of the terrifc content in store for you!”

Get 4-DVD Set at Special Price of $49.95… Look what’s included!

This Special Offer is an excellent opportunity for you to become well acquainted with four of the Aikido’s major figures, gifted teachers who are largely responsible for the way the art is practiced in modern times. This package includes: Aikido’s Founder Morihei Ueshiba, a man with no peer; Koichi Tohei, the person who introduced Aikido to the USA; Morihiro Saito, whose curriculum including both body and weapons techniques, has a worldwide following; and Seigo Yamaguchi, known for his martial, yet elegant style, who is highly regarded everywhere.

Shoji Nishio was one of the art’s true innovators, possessor of a dynamic style built on long years of study in other disciplines melded superbly into his unique aikido. Speed, effectiveness, and elegance are the hallmarks of Nishio Sensei’s aikido. His impact on aikido was felt strongly both in Japan and abroad during to his extensive travel and frequent seminars.

Fortunately, his technical legacy is preserved in the form of this wonderful 4-DVD set that he compiled during the height of his career. These study aids are essential to learning his vast aikido system and will stimulate the thinking of beginner and advanced student alike.

This is the time for you to take action and get exposure to one of postwar aikido’s major teachers. Aikido Journal is making these materials available at an extremely affordable price, so it is up to you to avail yourself of this opportunity to improve your skills. Serious martial artists are always challenging themselves with new input from the very best instructors. Shoji Nishio Sensei is one such person.

Shoji Nishio will thoroughly acquaint you with his unique approach to aikido in these high-quality professional DVDs. You will come to understand his extensive use of weapons and their theoretical and practical relationship to empty-handed techniques. Nishio Sensei’s aikido is precise, effective, and displays all of the characteristics of a martial mindset. At the same time, his aikido is morally-principled in consonance with the high ideals of Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba.

We have prepared a lengthy PDF file of some 90 pages containing extracts from 20 interviews of the pioneer students of Morihei Ueshiba who participated in the process leading to the creation of aikido. Many of the most famous names in aikido are featured. We encourage you to peruse this document to gain an overview of the evolution of aikido.

Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) drew on his extensive martial arts experience as a young man, fusing this knowledge with his deeply-held religious beliefs, to create the modern self-defense art of Aikido.

During his long career, Ueshiba associated with some of prewar Japan’s most colorful characters, including famous jujutsu master Sokaku Takeda, the charismatic religious leader Onisaburo Deguchi, and numerous members of Japan’s military, political, and business elite. Here is the captivating story of the birth of aikido, based on the first-hand accounts of Ueshiba’s top students prior to World War II.

The interviews contained in Aikido Pioneers – Prewar Era have been meticulously edited from hundreds of hours of conversations conducted over a 30-year period with those closest to the Founder. These early devotees of the art offer an insightful portrayal of the character of the Aikido Founder, and a detailed description of his teaching and activities, spanning nearly half a century. More than 100 photos, many published for the first time, add an important visual dimension to the testimonies of the interviewees. This is an essential volume for those desiring to discover the roots of Aikido, a true cultural treasure of Japan.

Paid subscribers have access to all available materials on the Aikido Journal Members Site. At the present time, this includes over 2,000 articles, encyclopedia entries, interviews, chronologies, images, videos, references, etc. The vast amount of content covers virtually every aspect of aikido and related disciplines.

These materials are fully indexed for easy search and retrieval of specific content. Paid members have the means to quickly inform themselves on any covered subject, and further deepen their knowledge of all aikido-related areas. Paid subscribers also receive our newsletter containing timely information on new content on Aikido Journal, aikido resources, special discounts, etc. There is no better investment for the serious aikido practitioner!

“Look carefully at these photos for hidden details that make Aiki techniques work!”

Putting the teeth back in Aikido’s techniques

Early in my research into the origins of aikido, I kept running into a wall about O-Sensei’s early teachings. The fact that Morihei’s was a certified instructor of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu and awarded Daito-ryu scrolls was subtly obfuscated. The key to clarifying this nebulous subject of Morihei Ueshiba’s intimate relationship with Daito-ryu came as a result of my meetings with Sokaku Takeda’s son, Tokimune Takeda, and Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei, starting in 1985.

This resulted in the publication of a series of articles, books, and videos that presented Daito-ryu and Sokaku Takeda in a different light and elucidated the strong influence of this highly sophisticated jujutsu art on the aikido of Morihei Ueshiba. Morihei Ueshiba O-Sensei was an extremely innovative martial artist and he modified many of Daito-ryu techniques in such a way as to make them safer to practice while retaining their martial essence. To probe the fine points of many Daito-ryu techniques, and achieve an understanding of some of the changes Morihei made, have a close look at these detailed screenshots.

These slideshow stills are from the landmark set of DVDs by Katsuyuki Kondo, Menkyo Kaiden, that we are offering our readers at a special discounted price through tomorrow evening, Monday, January 16th. We have gone to great efforts over the years to bring you materials such as this. Now it is up to you to roll up your sleeves and do the work!

“Katsuyuki Kondo covers all the basics of Daito-ryu for your personal edification!”

Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, the major technical influence on modern aikido, was a martial art taught in the first part of twentieth century Japan by the famous Sokaku Takeda of the Aizu clan, a certified martial arts’ genius. Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba met Sokaku in 1915, and immediately became engrossed in training. Daito-ryu, in Morihei’s words, “opened his eyes to budo.”

This week’s special consists of two instructional DVDs on Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu by Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei. Kondo Sensei is the leading figure in the Daito-ryu world, having received Menkyo Kaiden Master certification from Headmaster Tokimune Takeda, son of Sokaku Takeda.

The “Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu – Hiden Mokuroku” DVD series by Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei is the perfect introduction to Daito-ryu for beginners and experienced martial artists alike. Expertly demonstrated and explained, these two DVDs cover all of the techniques of the Hiden Mokuroku transmission scrolls of the formerly secret Daito-ryu school. Kondo Sensei takes great care in covering all of the important details to ensure your success in learning Daito-ryu basics. Be sure to watch the videos we have prepared to understand the quality of this material.

Morihei Ueshiba first learned Daito-ryu jujutsu from Sokaku Takeda in Hokkaido in 1915. Morihei mastered much of the Daito-ryu repertoire that consisted founder hundreds of techniques. Their association would last more than 20 years and the curriculum of Daito-ryu supplied the technical basis of aikido. Sokaku was succeeded by his son Tokimune who in turn was the teacher of Daito-ryu’s Katsuyuki Kondo, Menkyo Kaiden.

Editor Stanley Pranin recounts his first meeting with Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei and their long association

My association with Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei of Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu began in 1987, Kondo Sensei was “told” by Tokimune Takeda Sensei, son and successor of Sokaku Takeda, to coordinate with me and participate in the 3rd Friendship Demonstration in Tokimune’s place.

Kondo Sensei was not particularly pleased with this idea, and from the outset, seemed very suspicious of me and my motives in “courting” the Daito-ryu world. He was also very surprised that Tokimune Sensei would cooperate to the extent he had with Aiki News, and make open so much documentation to a little-known foreigner from the aikido “side of the fence.”

His coldness towards me was very evident when we were first introduced by Tokimune Sensei at a Kobudo demonstration in Tokyo. Following our first meeting, I was invited to Kondo Sensei’s home shortly thereafter for what turned out to be a “grilling.” I was met by Kondo Sensei and one of his ranking instructors, and the two of them proceeded to ask pointed questions of me in order to ferret out my motivations in staging this Friendship Demonstration in which Daito-ryu would be sharing the stage with aikido instructors.[Read more...]

Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu, the major technical influence on modern aikido, was a martial art taught in the first part of twentieth century Japan by the famous Sokaku Takeda of the Aizu clan, a certified martial arts’ genius. Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba met Sokaku in 1915, and immediately became engrossed in training. Daito-ryu, in Morihei’s words, “opened his eyes to budo.”

This week’s special consists of two instructional DVDs on Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu by Katsuyuki Kondo Sensei. Kondo Sensei is the leading figure in the Daito-ryu world, having received Menkyo Kaiden Master certification from Headmaster Tokimune Takeda, son of Sokaku Takeda.

The “Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu – Hiden Mokuroku” DVD series by Kondo Sensei is the perfect introduction to Daito-ryu for beginners and experienced martial artists alike. Expertly demonstrated and explained, these two DVDs cover all of the techniques of the Hiden Mokuroku transmission scrolls of the formerly secret Daito-ryu school. Be sure to watch the videos we have prepared to understand the quality of this material.

Order a two-year subscription to the Aikido Journal Members Site and get THREE FREE DVDs during this Sale in effect through January 9!

What this means is that you can now easily and inexpensively build your aikido film collection!

In the bargain, you get a two-year subscription to the Aikido Journal Members Site. Paid subscribers have access to all available materials on the Members Site. At the present time, this includes over 2,000 articles, encyclopedia entries, interviews, chronologies, images and videos. The vast amount of content covers virtually every aspect of aikido and related disciplines.

These materials are fully indexed for easy search and retrieval of specific content. Paid members have the means to quickly inform themselves on any covered subject, and further deepen their knowledge of all aikido-related areas. Members also receive our newsletter containing timely information on new content on Aikido Journal, aikido resources, special discounts, etc. There is no better investment for the serious aikido practitioner!

These Aikido DVDs are wonderful study aids and will familiarize you with the techniques and personalities of Aikido’s Greatest Masters! Save time… save money! Act now!